Bible Strands
Obadiah 1:2
“Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you will be deeply despised.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Lord addresses Edom at the precise moment He sends an envoy among the nations to mobilize them for war against her.
The words — קָטֹן (ka.Ton) translates to small, and בָּזוּי (ba.Zui) translates to despised, denoting the enforced reduction of Edom’s standing.
The thread — The pattern of God dismantling exalted status runs through Numbers 24:18 regarding Edom’s loss, Isaiah 23:9 on the disgrace of the earth’s renowned, and Luke 1:51 where God scatters the proud in heart.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to accept that human pride and fortified security cannot override a divine decree to diminish the arrogant.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.
Cross-references
- Numbers 24:18 Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.
- Isaiah 23:9 The LORD of Hosts planned it, to defile all its glorious beauty, to disgrace all the renowned of the earth.
- Luke 1:51 He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
- Job 34:25 Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
- Micah 7:10 Then my enemy will see and will be covered with shame—she who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?” My eyes will see her; at that time she will be trampled like mud in the streets.
- 1 Samuel 2:7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts.
- Psalms 107:39 When they are decreased and humbled by oppression, evil, and sorrow,
- Ezekiel 29:15 Egypt will be the lowliest of kingdoms and will never again exalt itself above the nations. For I will diminish Egypt so that it will never again rule over the nations.